Jean Coutu

An entrepreneur for the neighbourhood

Video available in French only.

The son of a doctor and the grandson of a hotelier, Jean Coutu has understood the importance of listening to people since he was a child. After acquiring his first pharmacy in 1960, the name “Jean Coutu” quickly became synonymous with local community. Always concerned with offering medications for the best possible price, he opened his first discount pharmacy in 1969. In addition to offering savings on the cost of medication, which were previously not widely available, he also offered a range of products over the counter. In the 1980s, Groupe Jean Coutu grew even further, extending its reach into New Brunswick and Ontario, and then into the United States starting in 1986. “At Jean Coutu you’ll find it all, even a friend” was more than just a slogan—it became the philosophy behind its network of franchisees and a symbol of trust amongst its customers. Throughout his career as an entrepreneur-pharmacist, Jean Coutu always took people’s health to heart.